The Airtel meet-up on technology and art was held at the Nailab on Friday 24th October. We were hosting Airtel to talk about how technology affects art and to discuss the recently launched Airtel Trace Music Stars completion.
The event was a panel session moderated by Samuel Mbugua. The panel comprised of: radio personality Tonee Ndungu, Music Producer Tim Rimbui, musician Dan Aceda and the Marketing Director of Airtel Kenya Charles Wanjohi.
Mr Wanjohi took us through what Airtel Trace Music Stars is all about. The service has been launched across Africa and features 13 countries where citizens get to be the next big thing. All they have to do is call, sing and they could end up being winners. The winner of the competioton will get a recording deal form Universal music Records. It was revealed that the winner of the Kenyan leg will get a cash prize as well as a car.
The public determines who wins. Once your song has been approved, you have to get people to vote for you. The top 5 contestants will then face-off in a finale that will be aired on NTV. The competition is about how well you can entertain and woo people to vote for you and is open ot anyone regardless of what type of phone they use.
The effect of technology and music could not go without mention. Part of the panel supported the notion that technology has adversely affected the arts particularly music while some though it had helped music.
Technology has changed how music is distributed and listened to. As a result, musicians have to be better at business to succeed. According to Dan Aceda, a song ha s at most 6weeks on air before a new song beats you to the top. The discussion urged artists to be business men and create products they can make money from.
The conversation was entertaining and educative at the same time. Below are some tweets from the event. You can get more by searching for the hashtag #AirtelExp
To take part in Airtel trace Music Stars, all you have to do is call 0900 733 733 and record your song #AirtelExp
— BAKE (@BAKE_ke) October 24, 2014
Technology is a huge part of Airtel Trace Music Stars. Everything form submissions to voting involves technology #AirtelExp
— Miss Lulu (@Lullitta_) October 24, 2014
The Airtel Trace Music Star stands outs mainly because of the submission/audition process.. being open to all #AirtelExp
— Zo (@xhosie) October 24, 2014
The 5 best entries into the competition will be selected by a panel of judges. They will then face off on an NTV show #AirtelExp
— Hapa Kenya (@Hapakenya) October 24, 2014
“Music is becoming a data driven service as far as distribution is concerned. This is also true in Africa & Kenya.” @rimbui #AirtelExp
— Airtel Kenya (@AIRTEL_KE) October 24, 2014
Artists are still yet to see a benefitial business model behind the whole online streaming services such as Spotify – @danaceda #AirtelExp
— KenyanPoet.com (@Kenyanpoet) October 24, 2014